Jack Hayes, with my cash backing him, became the school's golden boy and the main crush for many.

So when he framed me for harassing a classmate, nobody at school doubted it was his scheme.

My dad hustled to clear my name but ended up being accused of bribery by Jack, which led our company to bankruptcy and a hostile takeover.

The ordeal broke my dad, and he died from a heart attack.

Holding his urn, I got hit by a car while walking down the street.

Jack, meanwhile, turned into a celebrated crusader and married into wealth, reaching the pinnacle of success.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back during my freshman year.

Watching Jack host a swanky dinner at a five-star joint, I decided right then to cut him off financially.

This time, I was eager to see how long he could play this game.

***

"Jack's picking up the tab tonight, folks! Order whatever you like, no holding back!"

"He's the man! This place costs a small fortune. I can't believe we're eating here all thanks to him."

Jack was all smiles, lapping up the praise from our classmates.

Spotting me just standing there, he nudged me irritably. "Chris, what's the holdup? I'm covering tonight, so send over this month's cash, will you?"

It hit me then that I'd been given a second life.

Here he was hosting, with me footing the bill—all for a taste of fame. What a racket.

Jack seemed to forget he was once just a charity case from my family.

Looking back, it's crazy how I played right into his hands last time, becoming his personal ATM until my family hit rock bottom.

Recalling my previous life, I scoffed and dialed the butler. "Cut off all funds to Jack Hayes starting now."

"And hold off on this month's payment too!"

The first time I met Jack, he was skinny as a twig—nowhere near the branded clothes, luxury homes, and high-end cars he flaunts now, all while pretending to be a silver spoon.

Born in a dead-end rural town, his family was so poor that they couldn't even afford the college fees.

I took pity on him and took on all his college expenses.

When he first arrived, homeless, our home had room to spare, so I let him in. My clothes, sneakers, even the cars—anything he wanted was his for the asking.

Little did I know, investing millions of dollars would create such an ungrateful snake.

He'd cry poor in one breath to beg for more fortune from me while splashing cash like a tycoon in front of others.

When I confronted him, he played the sympathy card—grew up poor, shunned by peers, and just wanted to fit in and make friends.

His sob story tugged at my heartstrings, and since I wasn't short on cash, I let it slide.

My leniency only emboldened him, and at his peak, he was burning through five hundred thousand dollars a month of my money.

However, right before graduation, he set me up with a fake harassment claim and exposed supposed evidence that left me defenseless.

Dad tried to help me out but got dragged down by Jack's accusation of bribery, leading our company to the brink before it was gobbled up.

Losing the business he'd built from scratch devastated him, and he died of a heart attack.

Though I was eventually cleared by the police, it was too late—I was left destitute and alone, wandering the streets until a truck ended my life.

Only in death did I learn Jack had accepted a hefty bribe to conspire with our rivals, all to steal our business.

He took that money, married a wealthy woman, and climbed to the top.

He made me and my family his cornerstone.

Our downfall paved his way to a blissful life.

How could I not resent him?

I skipped dinner, using any excuse to get out of there.

Soon after, Jack's barrage of calls and texts made my phone buzz non-stop.

[Chris, where's this month's cash? You haven't sent it yet?]

[Either show up with the cash or send it now. Chop, chop, no dilly-dallying.]

[Make me look bad in front of everyone, and you'll regret it.]

I was dying to see what he'd try next.

So I blocked him.

Undeterred, Jack harassed the butler for the cash. But the butler, forewarned by me, ignored him completely.

Out of options, Jack was forced to scrape together every dime to settle his extravagant two-hundred-and-thirty-thousand-dollar tab.

Yeah, that was what the meal cost. To think, I used to fall for his lies, letting him milk me dry. What a fool I was.

After everyone left, Jack came at me, livid. "Chris, what's this about cutting off my funds? That money's mine. You have no right!"

"Better square up now, or else."

Looking at his familiar yet distasteful face, I felt a wave of disgust.

Who did he think he was, flaunting his ego like that in front of me?

I met his anger with ice-cold indifference. "From now on, you and your issues are none of my concern. Not another penny. Now, get out of my house."

Jack's voice softened briefly, trying a different tack. "Come on, Chris, don't do this. Just settle up and then send me another two hundred thousand dollars. Jane has got her eyes on a purse, and I gotta get it."

I laughed, incredulous. "How is that my problem?"

Seeing I wasn't budging, Jack's expression darkened again. "You're supposed to look out for me, Chris. We're like brothers."

"I'm a Smith, you're a Hayes. We're not brothers, not by a long shot."

Used to living large on my dime, Jack couldn't handle being put in his place and snapped.

"Chris, you promised to see me through college. You can't go back on your word now."

"That's my money, and if you don't pay up, I'm taking you to court."

I snorted. "Forget the fact it was just a promise. I've spent enough on you to support an army."

"Walk away now, and consider that cash gone. Push me, and you'll owe me every penny back."

"I'm not leaving!"

Jack dramatically threw himself to the floor, playing the victim. "I won't leave until you pay up."

Did he really think that would work?

Pathetic.

Eventually, I had to have my bodyguards throw him out.

He fumed and cursed outside until I unleashed the dogs, sending him running for the hills.